THE EMBARKATION. 299 officers and seamen. ' The embarkation,' he wrote chaI' on the 29th of August — ' the embarkation is pro- ' ceeding rapidly and successfully, thanks to the ' able arrangements of Rear- Admiral Sir Edmund ' Lyons, and the unceasing exertions of the officers ' and men under his orders. It is impossible for ' me to express, in adequate terms, my sense ' of the value of the assistance the army under ' my command derives from the Eoyal Navy. ' The same feeling prevails from the highest to 'the lowest — from Vice-Admiral Dundas to ' the youngest sailor ; an ardent desire to co-
- operate, by every possible means, is manifest
' throughout ; and I am proud of being associated ' with men who are animated by such a spirit, ' and who are so entirely devoted to the service
- of their country.'
Of course, the French, unencumbered with cav- Faimre of airy, were on board before the English embarka- calculations tion was complete ; but the steam-power at the their'coin- command of the French fell short, and the ueces- steam- sity of a variation from the plan determined upon by the four Admirals was now announced. On the 4th of September, Admiral llamelin, and au officer on the staff of the French army, informed Vice- Admiral Dundas that their resources would not, as they had expected, enable them to have their sailing transports towed by steamers. No explanation was given of the failure which had thus suddenly crippled the French armament; and yet, it must be owned, the discovery was one that might well make men anxious, for they saw power.
